Chapter 76: The Divorce Cooling-Off Period Ends

Chapter 76

[Wow, she fainted so easily?]

Anyone who suddenly heard this news would probably faint.

But if it's Bo Keming, this news becomes very interesting (doge)

[lol Zhu Da Niu's eyes are not enough to keep up, he keeps looking at Bao Keming and Qiao Manyun.]

[Hey, why does Hug seem a little silly standing here? Honey, cheer up! (shakes)]

Chu Xingli has been forgetful lately.

Even so, he did not forget about Zhao Changye.

After all, as long as Zhao Changye acknowledges the child as his relative, plunging Qiao Manyun and Bao Keming into despair, the cousin can be considered to have avenged his great grudge.

Therefore, Chu Xingli thought that as soon as he finished dealing with all these tedious matters, he would immediately start to deal with Zhao Changye's matter and look for the most suitable opportunity.

Through this period of getting to know him, Chu Xingli knew that Zhao Changye was a smart man, but he never expected that Zhao Changye would find his way all the way to his cousin's resort.

He said it was impossible not to be surprised when he saw the other person appear.

So much so that while Zhao Changye was confronting Bao Keming and Qiao Manyun, Chu Xingli only had time to stand there bewilderedly and watch the whole process of Zhao Changye recognizing his relatives with the report.

“He wouldn’t be…” Lu Yunxin swallowed back the words “dead” that she hadn’t yet uttered. She turned to look at the medical team running this way and whispered to Zhou Maidong, “There should still be hope.”

Since no one knew which part of Bao Keming's body had suddenly become seriously ill, everyone present, though worried, quickly scattered, fearing that it would delay the medical team from providing him with emergency care.

"Cough cough cough..." Bao Keming was awakened by the super-strong medical team leader using CPR.

He had just opened his eyes when he remembered the terrible news he had heard before he fainted, and he was about to faint again.

Before the medical team leader could do anything, Bao Keming strained his eyes, staring blankly upwards: "My son... my son..."

After finally figuring out the relationship between Zhao Changye, Bao Keming, and Qiao Manyun, Zhu Ji heard Bao Keming's weak struggle and whispered to Lin Ning, "He's not his son anymore, right?"

Bao Keming lay on the ground, but his hearing was surprisingly good.

Upon hearing this, his eyes rolled back and he fainted again.

Lin Ning glared at him angrily.

[Zhu Daniu, you're really making me laugh to death!]

[Bao Keming: Does Professor Zhu really have to push me so hard? o(╥﹏╥)o]

Who says this melon is old? This melon is amazing!

[It feels so good to have your suspicions confirmed?! Before, I only guessed that Bao Keming's child wasn't his, but now I even have the paternity test report, haha!]

Looking at Bao Keming lying unconscious on the ground, Chu Xingli was filled with mixed emotions.

He wondered if all of this was predetermined, or if a little effort could truly change one's life.

Zhao Changye came here today with a do-or-die mentality.

He wanted to say everything he could, to let everyone know the truth.

People like Bao Keming might stand idly by when they themselves are in dire straits, but the law will not.

Qiao Manyun was trembling all over.

This is for Bao Keming's current state, and also for his impending downfall.

She stared intently at Zhao Changye, wishing she could tear him to pieces on the spot and devour him.

But she simply couldn't do it.

She could only stand there stiffly, letting everyone present, and even those celebrating in the live stream, mock her relentlessly.

Including her ex-husband Nie Zi'an.

[I guess this show can't continue filming? (Suddenly worried) What if I don't get to see my hugging wife anymore? Waaaaah!]

[Sorry, I didn't see any sadness on the director's face.]

I vaguely recall someone in the industry saying that the penalty for breach of contract for this show is quite high.

[They're all rich, why would they care about a little penalty for breach of contract?]

[If it were Sister Lu and Brother Zhou, or Bao Bao and Ran Zi, they wouldn't have to worry too much about the breach of contract penalty, but the Bao family has been declining for a long time, so they're unlikely to be able to afford it.]

Given this incident, it's impossible to continue recording today's program.

As for what happens next, the production team will need to contact the guests.

While referred to as "guests," the main figures being referred to are Bao Keming and Qiao Manyun.

The director wanted to say, "If only you had known then what you know now," but considering his position, he felt it was inappropriate to say such things at this time.

All he could do was maintain order at the scene.

He would be grateful if Qiao Manyun could refrain from killing anyone here.

[Oh my god, does that mean we'll have to completely fall out while filming the show?]

[A chaotic love triangle is even more exciting! Bao Keming and Qiao Manyun are constantly looking at each other with mutual loathing, hahaha!]

[Did that guy also say he was going to sue Qiao Manyun for intentional injury? And that he'd sue her later?]

[Intentional injury? What did she do to him? I'm a little curious.]

Is there a possibility that Qiao Manyun might go to jail again?

The production crew called an ambulance and also called the police.

Police and medical personnel quickly arrived at the scene and took Zhao Changye, Qiao Manyun, and Bao Keming, who was repeatedly unconscious and waking up, away.

The episode ended early, and the director, seeing the skyrocketing rerun rate, was grinning from ear to ear.

There wasn't the slightest sign of worry about what would happen next.

*

Perhaps it was influenced by what happened before.

On the way back, Chu Xingli's heart was in turmoil, like an unbreakable tangle of yarn, her mood constantly being pulled down to rock bottom by her emotions.

Fortunately, he wasn't the one driving.

Luo Xiaoran took the same route he had taken yesterday.

Inevitably, both of them saw the grove of trees again.

Luo Xiaoran kept an eye on the road conditions, but he didn't ignore Chu Xingli's movements, occasionally glancing at his expression out of the corner of his eye.

With some worries in his mind, Luo Xiaoran drove the car back to the underground parking garage.

"What do you want to eat tonight? I'll go buy groceries," Luo Xiaoran asked first.

When Hug used to be in a bad mood, he would use Hug's favorite food to cheer her up.

Luo Xiaoran thought this time would be no exception.

"You go home and rest first. I'll borrow your car," Chu Xingli said after getting out of the car and walking around to the driver's side to wait for Luo Xiaoran to get out. "I need to go to the company."

Luo Xiaoran was worried about Chu Xingli being alone, so he started the car again: "I'll take you."

"No need." Chu Xingli's face was expressionless, and she looked rather unhappy.

In fact, Chu Xingli was not unhappy, but just a little down.

He understood that Luo Xiaoran wanted to see him off and stay with him because Luo Xiaoran was genuinely worried about him.

Chu Xingli was also worried about Luo Xiaoran.

He knew Luo Xiaoran was taking medication, so he didn't want to affect his mood.

On the way back, Chu Xingli thought of many things, but she didn't know whether they were true or false, reality or illusion.

He needs to calm down.

The quieter the better.

The more he could recall... the more he gradually began to grasp the truth of the edges and shapes.

.

Today is Saturday.

The Chu Group building was much quieter than usual.

When Chu Xingli went upstairs, she did not visit other floors and departments as she usually does on weekdays. Instead, she went directly to the floor where the president's office was located, so she did not know if any employees were working overtime on their day off.

Chu Xingli's office door faces diagonally across from her elder brother's office.

He never considered the possibility that his older brother was also in the company. After getting off the elevator, he went straight into his office and quickly closed the door.

The office was exactly the same as when he last left.

Chu Xingli naturally had no suspicions. He walked to his desk, sat down, and turned on his computer.

"Knock knock knock".

There was a knock on the office door.

Chu Xingli was staring intently at the computer screen.

That document contained his previous records... a record of all his nightmares.

Whenever I think of something, I quickly jot it down so that it can help me remember things later.

Hearing the knock, he looked up and said, "Come in."

He didn't care who came to his office at this time; he just wanted to quickly gather up the things he had forgotten and study them carefully.

"Young Master Chu, you're really here." Anna pushed open the door and walked in, looking at him with some surprise.

She had just come to the office from the company dormitory to pick up her gaming phone, and while squatting under the desk to collect scrap paper, she seemed to see someone walk by.

So hurry up and come to the leader's office to check.

Chu Xingli smiled at Anna when she saw that it was Anna: "Yes, it's me, not a thief."

Hearing what the young CEO said, Anna suddenly felt inexplicably guilty.

...Mr. Chu, you may not know this, but three thieves broke into your office last week.

Anna thought to herself, but on the surface she remained calm and smiled as she said to Chu Xingli, "But today is Saturday, Mr. Chu."

Outside of work hours, Anna was much less reserved in front of Chu Xingli, and her tone was less formal than usual.

"I haven't been to the company for several days. I'm not busy today, so I came to check in." Chu Xingli wasn't in such a bad mood that she didn't want to talk to anyone, and she could still explain to Anna with a light laugh why she came to the company.

Anna smiled and said, "Then I'll go prepare coffee for Mr. Chu."

Chu Xingli waved his hand: "No need, you should go back and rest. How can I exploit my employees on weekends?"

"I, Anna, am willing to serve the Chu family with my life." Anna said this and walked out quickly.

Chu Xingli: "..." Fine. This little girl is really adorably stubborn.

Anna knew that Chu Xingli must have something important to do at the company, so after bringing the coffee, she didn't disturb him any longer. She said goodbye to Chu Xingli and quietly closed the door and left.

Silence returned to the office.

Chu Xingli was also able to calm down and piece together the story in her mind and the document.

The office lights were off.

Chu Xingli sat on the sofa like that until sunset.

He seemed to have dozed off for a while during that time.

"Xingli, do you think Xiaoran truly loves you? No, he belongs to me."

"Xingli, open the door, I need to check on you."

—Chu Xingli, even if you die here today, no one can save you—

"Xingli, I'll have the hospital send a car over right now."

—Luo Xiaoran, do you really have to compete with me?—

"Xiao Ran, you'll come too, right?"

—Xiao Ran, do you really think you'll ever see him again?—

"Xiao Ran, it's been a long time."

Chu Xingli suddenly opened her eyes.

I probably saw too many and too varied stories before falling asleep, which made my dreams unusually chaotic.

This time, however, he did not have the same uneven breathing that he usually did when he suddenly woke up after being tormented by nightmares.

Even though her heart rate had increased significantly, Chu Xingli still knew clearly that this time was different from the past.

It's as if something... is changing silently.

For the first time, Chu Xingli began to doubt Pei Jianian's goals.

He wasn't narcissistic in thinking that Pei Jianian didn't like Luo Xiaoran, but liked him.

Instead, they believe that Pei Jianian actually... doesn't like anyone.

Compared to love and lovers, Pei Jianian may care more about winning or losing.

Enveloped in a restless mood, Chu Xingli leaned back on the sofa, closed her eyes, and pondered for a long time, but she could not expel the depressed emotions from her mind.

"Buzz, buzz."

My phone, which I had casually tossed onto the sofa, vibrated twice.

Before Chu Xingli could even reach for it, she was already secretly wondering who had sent the message.

...and even a hint of anticipation began to emerge.

Unsurprisingly, the moment Chu Xingli saw the screen, the corners of her lips curled up slightly, unable to contain her joy.

[Liaoyuan: Hugs! What time are you getting home? Do you need me to pick you up from the company?]

[Wildfire: [Puppy spinning around biting its tail.gif]]

"Pfft..." Chu Xingli burst out laughing.

The gloom in my eyes has mostly dissipated.

Chu Xingli didn't know whether she was amused by Luo Xiaoran's words or by the GIF of the puppy he posted later.

In short, seeing the message from Luo Xiaoran made him feel reassured.

[One punch to destroy the world: Something's come up at the company, so I'll be quite busy.]

[I'll smash this world with one punch: I'm not going home tonight]

[One punch to destroy this world: Go to sleep early, goodnight]

Give him a little more time.

He seemed to... figure it out immediately.

A decision can be made now.

Luo Xiaoran was still sending messages.

[Liaoyuan: Video files [Frozen Pear being held obediently and waving at the screen.mp4][Er Gou being held hostage and kicking at the screen.mp4][Boxing King chewing on freeze-dried fruit.mp4]]

[Liaoyuan: Hugs and goodnight, goodnight hugs]

[Liaoyuan: [Goodnight Story.m4a]]

Chu Xingli's cheeks flushed as he spoke to her with undisguised affection.

I had to touch my face with the back of my hand to cool it down.

...He really figured out how to use a double entendre.

However, Chu Xingli was soon drawn to the document that Luo Xiaoran had posted after "Goodnight".

A bedtime story?

What is it?

Chu Xingli tried clicking on the file.

The next second, Luo Xiaoran's voice came from the speaker:

"A bedtime story with hugs: A long, long time ago, there was a very cute little lion..."

Chu Xingli laughed at his old-fashioned opening.

But Luo Xiaoran's voice was so deep and pleasant that Chu Xingli couldn't help but listen on.

"His eyes are round and bright, majestic; he is the most beautiful little lion on the grassland..."

It really does make it easy to relax.

After washing up, Chu Xingli took her phone and lay down on the bed in the lounge.

He had already closed his eyes.

But the thought that this bedtime story is only eight minutes long means it might finish playing before he's even fully asleep is too much to bear.

Chu Xingli didn't want to associate any words like "finished" or "end" with Luo Xiaoran.

Thinking of this, Chu Xingli picked up her phone again, tilting her face slightly to avoid the bright light from hurting her eyes too much.

He patiently imported the audio file into his phone's music player and then set it to single-track repeat mode.

This is to ensure that the story will keep me company all night.

After doing all this, Chu Xingli finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He placed his phone on the bedside table and closed his eyes, focused on Luo Xiaoran's gentle and calm voice.

*

Chu Xingli slept straight through to the afternoon of the next day.

This was the first night he slept alone without having nightmares since being discharged from the hospital.

"Buzz, buzz."

As if it had been predicted exactly when he would wake up, the phone on the bedside table vibrated twice.

Chu Xingli picked up her phone.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the contact's name displayed on the screen.

It was a message from Luo Xiaoran.

There were already many messages accumulated, but he was asleep and didn't hear them.

[Liaoyuan: Dongli misses you so much, she keeps circling around the door]

[Liaoyuan: [Video file][Frozen Pear raises its tail and meows.mp4]]

[Liaoyuan: Oh, he was hungry. I opened a can of cat food for him, and he ate it and went to sleep.]

[Liaoyuan: I haven't gone to sleep yet, so I got up and washed your blue pajamas.]

[Liaoyuan: I used that pink laundry detergent, your favorite scent.]

Chu Xingli was filled with mixed emotions as she read through the book.

Until I saw the two latest messages that had just vibrated.

[Liaoyuan: Hugs, are you also planning to work overtime at the company today?]

[Liaoyuan: Are you coming home for dinner tonight?]

Chu Xingli always felt very guilty about Luo Xiaoran's endless attempts to give him a way out.

But every time Luo Xiaoran does this, he still desperately needs a way out to get back down quickly.

For example, he deliberately added the words "overtime" to his speech.

Both of them knew perfectly well that Chu Xingli was never so dedicated as to work even on weekends.

Luo Xiaoran's priority was to make Chu Xingli feel better after seeing the news.

Having gone to such lengths, how could Chu Xingli possibly refuse repeatedly?

Just as he was about to reply, Luo Xiaoran sent another message.

[Liaoyuan: I made a lot of your favorite dishes]

[Liaoyuan: Let me take a picture for you, see if you need anything, and I'll make it right away]

[Liaoyuan: [Braised Pork.jpg][Fish-flavored Shredded Pork.jpg][Sweet and Sour Pork.jpg][Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables.jpg][Vinegar-dressed Cabbage.jpg][Corn, Yam, and Pork Rib Soup.jpg]]

It's just a very ordinary home-cooked meal.

"Clatter".

Chu Xingli felt a burn from the tears that hit the back of her hand.

He hurriedly looked down to find a tissue, but tears kept falling down his face.

Luo Xiaoran, what exactly did you rely on to get through those lonely and helpless nights?

[I'll smash this world with one punch: I'm going home right now]

*

Chu Xingli drove very fast.

After replying to Luo Xiaoran's message, he went upstairs in less than forty minutes.

As the front door opened, the setting sun shone through the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a glow on Luo Xiaoran's busy figure.

He cooked a lot of dishes.

The room was filled with steam.

The heat made Chu Xingli's eyes feel slightly hot as well.

"I'm back." Chu Xingli didn't know what to say.

His mind was still in turmoil.

But it was precisely because he had finally figured out the question that had been troubling him that he was in such a state of confusion.

Luo Xiaoran's understanding of Chu Xingli has always been greater than Chu Xingli's understanding of himself.

With just one glance back, Luo Xiaoran could see the thoughts in Chu Xingli's eyes.

He would never proactively expose the secrets that Chu Xingli didn't want to reveal.

"Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner." Luo Xiaoran walked over, lowered his head slightly, and gently touched Chu Xingli's nose with the tip of his nose.

For no apparent reason, Chu Xingli thought of the story Luo Xiaoran had told her last night.

...The way felines greet each other with their noses and faces.

.

The two finished their meal quietly.

Luo Xiaoran remained silent throughout the entire process.

Chu Xingli once mistakenly believed that the messages she received were not from the person in front of her.

Luo Xiaoran put down his chopsticks and said softly, "Should we rest early tonight?"

Chu Xingli was a little surprised to hear Luo Xiaoran's words.

Over this period of time, he felt that although Luo Xiaoran went to bed early and got up early and paid attention to health, it was still too much to go to bed now.

Thinking to herself, Chu Xingli glanced at the time on her phone screen again.

He wasn't mistaken... it's only 8:30.

"Are you feeling unwell somewhere?" Chu Xingli pondered Luo Xiaoran repeatedly.

Luo Xiaoran was actually feeling a little uncomfortable.

He has been off medication for several days and still has a low-grade fever today.

"Hmm, I want to go to bed early." He noticed that Chu Xingli's emotions were unusual, but he didn't know what was wrong with them.

So, could it be that if he just goes to bed earlier, he can avoid hearing... or hear those hurtful words later?

Chu Xingli did not stop Luo Xiaoran.

It's good to go to bed early.

Tomorrow is Luo Xiaoran's birthday.

He had something to say to Luo Xiaoran.

"It's good to go to bed early," Chu Xingli thought to herself, then smiled at him. "I have something to tell you tomorrow."

Chu Xingli didn't know how much self-control she had to muster to keep from impulsively telling Luo Xiaoran what was on her mind.

Luo Xiaoran was unusually silent. He nodded, his voice low and hoarse: "Okay, then we'll talk about it tomorrow."

After he finished speaking, he went back to his room.

Chu Xingli followed.

Luo Xiaoran lay on the bed, his fingers clenched into fists under the covers, barely managing to keep his emotions in check.

"I've turned off the light for you. You should get some rest," Chu Xingli said after standing for a while.

He knew that Luo Xiaoran also had a remote control nearby and could turn off the lights himself.

But for some reason, she just wanted to say a few more words to Luo Xiaoran.

It was as if this would allow him to feel that everything happening before his eyes was real.

For the first time, Luo Xiaoran did not respond to Chu Xingli's words.

He was pretending to be asleep.

Before turning off the lights, Chu Xingli saw that Luo Xiaoran had his eyes closed.

Let's just assume he's already asleep.

They moved even more gently, carefully closing the door without making a sound.

Silence returned to the room.

Luo Xiaoran opened his eyes.

Tomorrow marks the end of the cooling-off period for divorce.